Light, tough, flexible, attractive

dalto

Member since  Dec 28, 2009

Posted on June 4, 2012

Just picked this up and can't really see using it too soon because it's summer, but I wanted to give some impressions and correct some misinformation in other reviews (maybe the models they referred to were different).

I got the Too Blue and it's a strong, bright blue. The photograph is pretty true to the color, although a little washed out.

The material is just what my review title says. It is similar to a Marmot Tempo or MH Offwidth, but with a little less stretch and, perhaps, more durability. It's light enough for fall/spring use or active pursuits in colder weather.

(Added a day later--some cool, breezy weather blew in and I was able to wear this around outdoors. The material feels just great. It's actually thinner than I originally had thought. It's soft and moves very well. While thin, the material is tough, wards off some wind, and holds in some heat. Seems like it will deliver on breathability, too. This could easily become a favorite jacket.)

The fit is trim. I'm 5-10, 135 and the Small fits well over a shirt or grid fleece. This isn't the kind of jacket you'd grab if the weather required heavy layering anyway.

The arms are long but that's probably by design for active uses. One thing I don't like is that they are very wide. I suppose that's so that you can throw on the jacket quickly. It's not really to accommodate multiple layers because the body won't allow that. There is a generous velcro tab to cinch the cuffs. Sleeves are asymmetrically cut to provide some coverage to the back of the hand, although my wrists are so slender that there's quite a bit of bunching there.

Pit zips are generous and work pretty easily.

There are two outside zippered pockets and one inside zippered pocket.

The waist has two hem cinches.

The hood adjusts in back and on each side. It has a nice brim. The fit is quite good on a bare head when cinched down. The only problem is that the toggles for regulating the side elastic pulls are buried in the fabric and can be hard to manipulate for loosening/tightening.

The Windstopper overlay on the hood, shoulders, and around the side and back of the waist looks like it's there for reinforcement against a pack and the placement seems to be for warding off rain, but the material is Windstopper. If the primary purpose is to stop wind then it should be located on the front of the jacket. If the primary purpose is durability or rain resistance, I'd think something besides Windstopper might be better. But I don't claim to be a backcountry expert so maybe there's something I don't understand.

The dye took similarly on both the Windstopper and Flex fabric so it's not that obvious that you're wearing a two-tone garment. The aesthetics are really nice. Colors are the typical eye-searingly bright (but pleasing, in my opinion) Norrona ones.